Virtual golf simulation apparatus

ABSTRACT

Provided is a virtual golf simulation apparatus including a processor. The processor is connected to an output device and is configured to acquire measurement data obtained by using a measurement device to measure an actual shot performed by a golfer, analyze a shot characteristic of the golfer based on the measurement data, virtually generate a virtual golfer having a shot characteristic corresponding to the shot characteristic of the golfer, receive, from the golfer, an instruction instructing the virtual golfer to perform an action in a virtual space, simulate a shot of the virtual golfer in the virtual space in accordance with the instruction, and output a result of the simulation to the output device.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims a priority to Japanese Patent Application No.2018-38872 filed on Mar. 5, 2018, which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a virtual golf simulation apparatus.

BACKGROUND

Conventionally, various types of golf game machines have been known.Typically, there are game machines that allow a user to virtuallyprogress through a golf course by causing a user to operate an inputdevice of the game machine (e.g., see JP 2017-38916A, which is PatentDocument 1). Although this type of game machine is an amusement machinethrough which the user enjoys virtual golf without actually swinging agolf club, on the other hand, there are also game machines that causethe user to actually swing a golf club in a hitting base that isinstalled near the game machine. With the latter game machine, theactual golf swing performed by the user is calculated using acalculation apparatus and simulated using a computer, and the user isallowed to virtually progress through the golf course in accordance withthe simulation result (e.g., see JP 2013-516212, which is PatentDocument 2, and JP 2007-301173A, which is Patent Document 3). This typeof apparatus, which simulates an actual golf swing, can also be used inapplications such as golf practice, rather than being an amusementmachine.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A game machine such as that disclosed in Patent Document 1 cannotreflect the actual golf ability of the user. On the other hand, withapparatuses such as those disclosed in Patent Documents 2 and 3,although the game progresses in a manner reflecting the actual golfability of the user, the user needs to perform the golf swing many timesin order to cause the game to progress, which is a large burden. Also,the hitting base and the measurement device need to be installed, andthus there are restrictions on the environment for implementing virtualgolf.

The present invention aims to provide a virtual golf simulationapparatus, program, and method, according to which virtual golfreflecting the actual golf ability of a golfer can be easily executed.

A virtual golf simulation apparatus according to one aspect includes: adata acquisition unit configured to acquire measurement data obtained byusing a measurement device to measure an actual shot performed by agolfer; an analysis unit configured to analyze a shot characteristic ofthe golfer based on the measurement data; a generation unit configuredto virtually generate a virtual golfer having a shot characteristiccorresponding to the shot characteristic of the golfer; an operationreceiving unit configured to receive, from the golfer, an instructioninstructing the virtual golfer to perform an action in a virtual space;a simulation unit configured to simulate a shot of the virtual golfer inthe virtual space in accordance with the instruction; and an output unitconfigured to output a result of the simulation.

The operation receiving unit may receive selection of a golf courseserving as the virtual space, and the simulation unit may successivelysimulate shots of the virtual golfer such that the virtual golfervirtually progresses through the golf course.

The simulation unit may successively simulate multiple shots so as tocause the virtual golfer to play a virtual round in the golf course.

The measurement data may include data relating to at least one of aflight distance, a head velocity, a ball velocity, a launch angle, alateral deflection angle, a spin amount, a variation degree, a faceangle, and a head path angle.

The shot characteristic may include characteristics relating to at leastone of the flight distance, lateral deflection, a miss direction, and amissed shot probability.

For each shot of the virtual golfer, the operation receiving unit mayreceive selection of a golf club to be used by the virtual golfer, outof a group of a plurality of types of golf clubs selected from a driver,a fairway wood, a utility, an iron, a wedge, and a putter.

The output unit may generate an image showing the virtual space in twodimensions or three dimensions.

The output unit may generate an image in which a character imitating thevirtual golfer moves in the virtual space.

The data acquisition unit may acquire the measurement data from themeasurement device or a server that is connected to the measurementdevice and in which the measurement data transmitted from themeasurement device is accumulated.

According to the present invention, a shot characteristic of a golfer isanalyzed based on measurement data of an actual shot performed by thegolfer, and a virtual golfer having a shot characteristic correspondingto the golfer's shot characteristic is generated virtually. Then, a shotof the virtual golfer in a virtual space is simulated in accordance withthe operation performed by the golfer, and the result of the simulationis output. That is, the virtual golfer, which is also to be called an“avatar”, having an ability corresponding to the actual golf ability ofthe golfer is generated, the virtual golfer is operated by the golfer,and thus virtual golf is executed. Accordingly, virtual golf reflectingthe actual golf ability of the golfer can be easily executed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing functional blocks of a virtual golfsimulation system including a virtual golf simulation apparatusaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a measurement deviceaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing functional blocks of the measurement deviceshown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of a virtual golf simulation step.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of a routine for generating anavatar for a golfer.

FIG. 6 shows an example of a golf screen displaying a golf course in aplanar form.

FIG. 7 shows an example of a golf screen displaying an avatar performinga shot on the golf course in three dimensions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, a virtual golf simulation apparatus, program, and methodaccording to an embodiment of the present invention will be describedwith reference to the drawings.

1. Overall Configuration of Virtual Golf Simulation System

FIG. 1 shows an overall configuration of a virtual golf simulationsystem 100 including a virtual golf simulation apparatus 1 (hereinafterreferred to as “simulation apparatus 1” in some cases) according to thepresent embodiment. The simulation apparatus 1 is an apparatus thatprovides a golfer G with virtual golf reflecting the actual golf abilityof the golfer G. Virtual golf is executed in various applications, andfor purposes such as amusement, assessing golf ability, and learninggolf. For this reason, the simulation apparatus 1 acquires measurementdata obtained by measuring an actual shot performed by the golfer G,analyzes the shot characteristic of the golfer G based on themeasurement data, and virtually generates a virtual golfer Gv having ashot characteristic corresponding to that of the golfer G. Then, thegolfer G instructs the virtual golfer Gv to perform an action, the shotof the virtual golfer Gv in the virtual space is simulated in accordancewith the instruction, and the result of the simulation is output. Thatis, the virtual golfer Gv, which is also to be called an “avatar”,having an ability corresponding to the actual golf ability of the golferG is generated, and virtual golf is executed due to the golfer Goperating the virtual golfer Gv.

Measurement of the actual shot of the golfer G is executed by themeasurement device 2. As shown in FIG. 1, the measurement device 2 isconnected to a communication network 8 such as the Internet, and uploadsmeasurement data to a server 3 via the communication network 8. Theserver 3 accumulates the measurement data transmitted from themeasurement device 2 and transmits measurement data to the simulationapparatus 1 in response to a request from the simulation apparatus 1connected similarly to the communication network 8.

The simulation apparatus 1, the measurement device 2, and the server 3constitute the virtual golf simulation system 100. Hereinafter, theconfigurations of the measurement device 2, the server 3, and thevirtual golf simulation apparatus 1 will be described, and thereafter aflow of processing for executing virtual golf will be described.

2. Configuration of Units

2-1. Measurement Device

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the measurement device 2 according to thepresent embodiment is realized as an inertia sensor unit 30, a camerasystem 5, and an analysis apparatus 20 connected thereto. However, theconfiguration of the measurement device 2 is not limited thereto, andthe configuration is not particularly limited as long as measurementdata that is suitable for analyzing the shot characteristic of thegolfer G can be measured.

The measurement device 2 according to the present embodiment isinstalled at a specialized location, such as a golf school or a storeselling golf equipment. At this kind of specific location, the golfer Gperforms a trial stroke of a golf club 4 to which the inertia sensorunit 30 is attached in a hitting base in which the camera system 5 isinstalled, in order to determine a golf club suited to the golfer G (fora so-called “fitting”), to assess the golf ability of the golfer G, andthe like.

2-1-1. Inertia Sensor Unit

As shown in FIG. 2, the inertia sensor unit 30 is attached to the endportion of the golf club 4 on the side of a grip 42, which is oppositeto a head 41, and the inertia sensor unit 30 measures the behavior ofthe grip 42. Note that the golf club 4 is a common golf club, and isconstituted by a shaft 40, the head 41 provided on one end of the shaft40, and the grip 42 provided on the other end of the shaft 40. Theinertia sensor unit 30 is small and light so as not to hinder a swingaction. The inertia sensor unit 30 can attach to and detach from thegolf club 4.

As shown in FIG. 3, an acceleration sensor 31, an angular velocitysensor 32, and a geomagnetic sensor 33 are equipped in the inertiasensor unit 30. A communication device 34 for transmitting sensor dataoutput from the sensors 31 to 33 to an external analysis apparatus 20 isalso mounted in the inertia sensor unit 30. Note that in the presentembodiment, the communication device 34 is wireless so as not to hinderthe swing action, but the communication device 34 may also be connectedto the analysis apparatus 20 in a wired manner via a cable.

The acceleration sensor 31, the angular velocity sensor 32, and thegeomagnetic sensor 33 detect data on the acceleration, angular velocity,and geomagnetism in xyz local coordinate systems whose origins are thepositions at which these sensors 31 to 33 are attached. Morespecifically, the acceleration sensor 31 measures the accelerationsa_(x), a_(y), and a_(z) in x axis, y axis, and z axis directions. Theangular velocity sensor 32 measures angular velocities ω_(x), ω_(y), andω_(z) about an x axis, a y axis, and a z axis. The geomagnetic sensor 33measures geomagnetism m_(x), m_(y), and m_(z) in x axis, y axis, and zaxis directions. These pieces of sensor data are transmitted to theanalysis apparatus 20 via the communication device 34.

2-1-2. Camera System

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the camera system 5 includes multiple cameras51 and 52, and multiple stroboscopes 53, 53, 54, and 54, and performsstroboscopic imaging. A camera 51 is attached to a support platform 57on the front surface of the golfer G and is arranged obliquely above aball 60 at address such that the head 41 and the ball 60 can be imagedfrom above before and after impact. The stroboscopes 53 and 53 are alsofixed to the support platform 57 and arranged below the camera 51. Also,a camera 52 is arranged in front of the ball 60 at address on the frontsurface side of the golfer G such that the head 41 and the ball 60 canbe imaged from a position different from that of the camera 51, beforeand after impact. The stroboscopes 54 and 54 are arranged to the leftand right of the camera 52. Note that markers in the form of dots orlines are provided on the golf ball 60 such that the behavior of theball 60 can be extracted from the image data captured by the cameras 51and 52.

Also, the camera 5 includes light emitters 55A and 55B and lightreceivers 56A and 56B, the light emitter 55A and the light receiver 56Aconstitute one timing sensor, and the light emitter 55B and the lightreceiver 56B constitute another timing sensor. The timing signalsgenerated by these timing sensors are used to determine the timing oflight emission performed by the stroboscopes 53, 53, 54, and 54 andimage capture performed by the cameras 51 and 52 thereafter.

Furthermore, the camera system 5 also includes a control device 50 forcontrolling the operations of the above-described devices 51 to 56B. Thecontrol device 50 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and isconnected also to a communication unit 25 of the analysis apparatus 20,in addition to the above-described devices 51 to 56B.

The light emitters 55A and 55B are arranged below the camera 51 near theground on the front surface side of the golfer G. On the other hand, thelight emitters 56A and 56B are arranged near the toes of the feet of thegolfer G. The light emitter 55A and the light receiver 56A are arrangedon a straight line that is approximately parallel with the directionfrom the back to the abdomen of the golfer G, and the light emitter 55Aand the light receiver 56A face each other (see FIG. 2). The same alsoapplies to the light emitter 55B and the light receiver 56B. The lightemitters 55A and 55B always emit light to the light receivers 56A and56B during a golf swing, and the light receivers 56A and 56B receivethis light. However, at the timing when the golf club 4 passes betweenthe light emitters 55A and 55B and the light receivers 56A and 56B, thelight from the light emitters 55A and 55B is blocked by the golf club 4,and therefore the light receivers 56A and 56B cannot receive this light.The light receivers 56A and 56B detect this timing and generate a timingsignal based thereon. Using the time at which the timing signal wasgenerated as a reference, the control device 50 commands thestroboscopes 53, 53, 54, and 54 to emit light for a predetermined amountof time and commands the cameras 51 and 52 to perform image capture.Sensor data in the format of image data captured by the cameras 51 and52 is transmitted to the control device 50 and is further transmittedfrom the control device 50 to the analysis apparatus 20.

2-1-3. Analysis Apparatus

The hardware of the analysis apparatus 20 is a general-purpose computer,and for example, is realized as a desktop computer, a laptop computer, atablet computer, or a smartphone. As shown in FIG. 3, the analysisapparatus 20 is manufactured by installing a program 23 a in ageneral-purpose computer from a recording medium 27 such as acomputer-readable CD-ROM, or via the communication network 8. Theprogram 23 a is software for analyzing sensor data transmitted from theinertia sensor unit 30 and the camera system 5, and causes the analysisapparatus 20 to execute later-described operations.

The analysis apparatus 20 includes a display unit 21, an input unit 22,a storage unit 23, a control unit 24, and a transmission unit 25. Theseunits 21 to 25 are connected to each other via a bus line 26 and cancommunicate with each other. The storage unit 23 can be constituted by ahard disk or the like. The program 23 a and the sensor data transmittedfrom the sensor units 30 and 5 are stored in the storage unit 23. Thecontrol unit 24 can be constituted by a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like.The control unit 14 analyzes the actual shot performed by the golfer Gbased on the sensor data in the storage unit 23 by reading out andexecuting the program 23 a in the storage unit 23. The communicationunit 25 functions as a communication interface for exchanging data withexternal devices such as the sensor units 30 and 5. Measurement dataincluding various types of analysis values obtained as the result ofanalysis of the shot performed by the control unit 24 are transmitted tothe server 3 via the communication unit 25.

The display unit 21 can be constituted by a liquid crystal display orthe like, and the result of the analysis of the shot performed by thecontrol unit 24 is displayed to the user. “User” in this context is acollective term for a person who requires the analysis result, such asthe golfer G himself or herself, or an instructor of the golfer G. Aninput unit 22 can be constituted by a mouse, a keyboard, a touch panel,or the like, and receives an operation from the user on the analysisapparatus 20.

2-2. Server

The hardware of the server 3 is a server computer, which is called adatabase server, a storage server, or the like, includes a non-volatilelarge-capacity storage device, and is connected to the communicationnetwork 8. The measurement data acquired from the measurement device 2is accumulated in this large-capacity storage device. The server 3receives, from the virtual golf simulation apparatus 1 via thecommunication network 8, a request to transmit the measurement data inthe large-capacity storage device, and transmits the requestedmeasurement data to the simulation apparatus 1 as appropriate. When theserver 3 receives a request to transmit the measurement data, the server3 performs authentication of the golfer G operating the simulationapparatus 1, which is the access source, and if the authenticationsucceeds, the server 3 transmits the measurement data to the simulationapparatus 1.

2-3. Virtual Golf Simulation Apparatus

The hardware of the virtual golf simulation apparatus 1 is ageneral-purpose computer, and for example, is realized as a desktopcomputer, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, or a smartphone. Also,the simulation apparatus 1 can be realized as any computer possessed bythe golfer G. As shown in FIG. 1, the simulation apparatus 1 ismanufactured by installing a program 13 a in a general-purpose computerfrom a recording medium 17 such as a computer-readable CD-ROM or via thecommunication network 8. The program 13 a is software for executingvirtual golf, and causes the simulation apparatus 1 to executelater-described operations.

The virtual golf simulation apparatus 1 includes the display unit 11,the input unit 12, the storage unit 13, the control unit 14, and thecommunication unit 15. These units 11 to 15 are connected to each othervia the bus line 16 and can communicate with each other. The displayunit 11 can be constituted by a liquid crystal display or the like anddisplays a virtual golf execution screen to the user. The input unit 12can be constituted by a mouse, a keyboard, a touch panel, or the likeand receives an operation from the golfer G, who is the user, on thesimulation apparatus 1.

The storage unit 13 can be constituted by a hard disk or the like. Theprogram 13 a and the measurement data acquired from the server 3 arestored in the storage unit 13. The control unit 14 can be constituted bya CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. The control unit 14 virtuallyoperates as a data acquisition unit 14 a, an analysis unit 14 b, ageneration unit 14 c, an operation receiving unit 14 d, a simulationunit 14 e, and an output unit 14 f by reading out and executing theprogram 13 a in the storage unit 13. The details of the operations ofthe units 14 a to 14 f will be described later. The communication unit15 functions as a communication interface for exchanging data withexternal devices such as the server 3.

3. Flow of Processing for Executing Virtual Golf

A flow of processing for executing virtual golf will be described next.This processing includes: a measuring step serving as pre-processing formeasuring an actual golf shot of the golfer G, and a virtual golfsimulation step of simulating the golf shot of the golfer G based on themeasurement data at that time. The former step is executed by themeasurement device 2, and the latter step is executed by the virtualgolf simulation apparatus 1. Also, the latter step is executed by thegolfer G operating the simulation apparatus 1 for various purposes, suchas the golfer G enjoying virtual golf as a computer game, orunderstanding his or her own golf ability and learning. In the virtualsimulation step according to the present embodiment, a situation inwhich the golfer G plays a round on a golf course is simulated.

3-1. Measurement Step

The measurement step is executed at a specific location, such as a golfschool or a store selling golf equipment, in which the measurementdevice 2 is installed. In this kind of specific location, the golfer Gperforms a trial stroke of the golf club 4 for the purpose of fittingthe golf club, assessing the golf ability of the golfer G, or the like.That is, the original purpose of the measurement step is not necessarilythe same as the purpose for which virtual golf is executed in thevirtual golf simulation step. In other words, the measurement datacollected in the measurement step is stored in the server 3 and is alsoused in a later virtual golf simulation step, whereby the golfer G caneasily execute virtual golf also in an environment in which themeasurement device 2 is not installed.

In the measurement step, first, the golf club 4 to which theabove-described inertia sensor unit 30 is attached is swung by thegolfer G in the hitting base in which the above-described camera system5 is installed, and the ball 60 is struck. Hereinafter, the actual shotperformed in the measurement step will be referred to as a test shot insome cases. Then, the sensor data, namely the accelerations a_(x),a_(y), and a_(z), the angular velocities ω_(x), ω_(y), and ω_(z), andthe magnetism m_(x), m_(y), and m_(z) of the grip 42 during the testshot are measured by the inertia sensor unit 30. These pieces of sensordata are transmitted to the analysis apparatus 20 from inertia sensorunit 30. Meanwhile, the analysis apparatus 20 receives this data via thecommunication unit 25 and stores it in the storage unit 23. In thepresent embodiment, at least chronological sensor data from theaddressing to the impact is collected.

Also, in the measurement step, image data showing the state near thehead 41 and the ball 60 is captured by the camera system 5 before andafter the impact during the test shot. These pieces of image data aretransmitted as sensor data to the analysis apparatus 20 via the controldevice 50. Meanwhile, the analysis apparatus 20 receives this data viathe communication unit 25 and stores it in the storage unit 23.

Typically, in the measurement step, various types of golf clubs 4 aresubjected to trial strokes. In some cases, golf clubs of variouscategories, such as driver, fairway wood, utility, iron, wedge, andputter, are included among these golf clubs 4, and multiple golf clubswith different numbers are included among golf clubs 4 of the samecategory (e.g., 3, 5, and 7 irons are included) Then, these golf clubs 4are sequentially subjected to trial strokes, and the pieces of sensordata are individually collected for each golf club 4.

The control unit 24 calculates various analysis values by analyzing thesensor data in the storage unit 23 with respect to each golf club 4subjected to a trial stroke by the golfer G. In the present embodiment,the flight distance of the ball 60, head velocity (typically, thevelocity of the head 41 immediately before impact), ball velocity(typically, the initial velocity of the ball 60), the launch angle(vertical launch angle) of the ball 60, lateral deflection angle at thetime of striking the ball 60, spin amount of the ball 60, degree ofvariation (typically, the standard deviation indicating variation in thelateral distance of the trajectory), face angle (typically, the faceangle immediately before impact), head path angle (typically, the headpath angle immediately before impact), and the like are measured as thiskind of analysis value. Note that some golfers G have a long flightdistance at a golf driving range or in the measurement performed by themeasurement device 2, but do not have a long flight distance at a golfcourse. In such a case, the flight distance of the ball 60 can also beset by the golfer G manually instead of being an analysis value obtainedbased on sensor data. Also, since various methods are known as methodsfor calculating the above-described analysis values based on theabove-described sensor data, detailed description thereof is notincluded here. Also, in the present embodiment, the golf clubs 4 aresubjected to a trial stroke multiple times each, and preferably 2 to 5times each. In this case, the average value of each of the variousanalysis values can be calculated based on sensor data corresponding tomultiple instances of trial strokes (note that the variation degree isexcluded), and by using this average value, the accuracy of analysis canbe improved.

As described above, the various calculated analysis values areconsolidated for each golf club 4 on a screen indicating the measurementresults, and are displayed on the display unit 21. Based on this, theuser can select a golf club that is suitable for the golfer G or assessthe golf ability of the golfer G.

Also, the various analysis values calculated as described above aretransmitted to the server 3 and stored therein as measurement dataobtained by the measurement device 2. In the server 3, the measurementdata is stored in association with information (hereinafter referred toas “club ID”) identifying the type of the corresponding golf club 4.Also, the measurement data is stored in association with the club ID, aswell as information identifying the golfer G (hereinafter referred to as“golfer ID”). Note that the measurement data to be transmitted to theserver 3 from the analysis apparatus 20 may also include the sensor dataitself instead of or in addition to the above-described analysis values.In this case, in the later-described virtual golf simulation step, thesimulation apparatus 1 can analyze the shot characteristic of the golferG based on the sensor data.

3-2. Virtual Golf Simulation Step

Next, the virtual golf simulation step will be described with referenceto FIG. 4. The virtual golf simulation step is started by the golfer Gperforming a specific operation on the input unit 12 of the simulationapparatus 1 and starting up an application (hereinafter referred to as“golf application”) for executing virtual golf implemented by theprogram 13 a. Due to the startup of the golf application, a screen forexecuting virtual golf (hereinafter referred to as “golf screen”) isdisplayed on the display unit 11. The golf screen is generated by theoutput unit 14 f.

In the present embodiment, virtual golf progresses such that the golferG virtually plays a round on a golf course in a virtual space. For thisreason, in step S1, the operation receiving portion 14 d receivesselection of a golf course from the golfer G. Multiple golf courses setin the golf application are presented as options on the golf screen, andthe golfer G can select a specific golf course by performing apredetermined operation on the input unit 12. The simulation unit 14 esets the golf course selected according to the operation as the golfcourse on which a virtual round is to be played. The output unit 14 fdisplays the selected golf course as a graphic. FIG. 6 is an example ofthis kind of screen W1, and the output unit 14 f generates the golfscreen W1, which includes an image (plan view) showing the selected golfcourse in two dimensions, and displays the generated golf screen W1 onthe display unit 11.

Next, in step S2, an avatar of the golfer G, who is the player ofvirtual golf, is generated. The avatar is a virtual golfer who performsvirtual golf in a virtual space, and hereinafter the reference numeralGv will be given to the avatar as well. The avatar Gv is generated inaccordance with the flowchart shown in FIG. 5. First, the dataacquisition unit 14 a accesses the server 3 via the communicationnetwork 8 and acquires the measurement data and related information(including the club ID) corresponding to the golfer G from the server 3(step S21). At this time, the server 3 performs authentication of thegolfer G based on the golfer ID. That is, the data acquisition unit 14 atransmits the golfer ID input by the golfer G via the input unit 12 tothe server 3, and the server 3 receives the golfer ID and determineswhether or not access of the measurement data is possible. Ifauthentication of the golfer G succeeds, the measurement data andrelated information corresponding to the golfer G are transmitted fromthe server 3 to the simulation apparatus 1.

Next, the analysis unit 14 b analyzes the shot characteristic of thegolfer G based on the measurement data and the related informationdownloaded from the server 3 (step S22). More specifically, the analysisunit 14 b calculates values indicating the shot characteristic of thegolfer G (hereinafter referred to as “shot characteristic values”) basedon the above-described various analysis values included in themeasurement data. In the present embodiment, the shot characteristicvalues of the golfer G are calculated for each golf club that can beselected in the later-described step S4, based on the measurement dataas well as the club IDs included in the related information.

Similarly to the above-described various analysis values, the shotcharacteristic values calculated in the present embodiment include theflight distance, the head velocity, the ball velocity, the launch angle,the lateral deflection angle, the spin amount, the variation degree, theface angle, and the head path angle, as well as lateral deflection,missed shot direction, and missed shot probability. The value of theflight distance obtained with a golf club for which shot measurement wasactually performed (hereinafter referred to as “test club”), the valueof the flight distance being included in the measurement data, is usedas-is as the value of the flight distance obtained with the test club.On the other hand, the flight distance obtained with a golf club forwhich shot measurement has not actually been performed (hereinafterreferred to as “non-test club”) is estimated based on the measurementdata relating to the test club. For example, the analysis unit 14 bspecifies the proportional relationship between the flight distance anda predetermined parameter based on the flight distance obtained with thetest club, and thus the flight distance obtained with the non-test clubcan be calculated based on the proportional relationship. Note that, ingeneral, due to the fact that the loft angle decreases and the flightdistance increases the smaller the club number and the club length are,the club number, club length, loft angle, or the like can be used as theparameter in this context.

Lateral deflection, which is a shot characteristic value, is calculatedbased on information for determining the trajectory of the ball 60(hereinafter referred to as “trajectory information”), such as the ballvelocity, launch angle, lateral deflection angle, and spin amount. Ifthe ball velocity is abnormal, it can be corrected by referencing thehead velocity, and therefore the head velocity can also be included inthe trajectory information. The missed shot direction is also calculatedbased on the trajectory information included in the measurement data.For example, based on the lateral deflection angle and the side spinamount, it is possible to determine whether or not there is a tendencyto go left and curve to the left, whether or not there is a tendency togo right and curve to the right, and the like. The missed shotprobability is also calculated based on the trajectory informationincluded in the measurement data. For example, the missed shotprobability can be calculated as the number of times a trajectoryclassified as a missed shot was measured, divided by the number of testshots. Note that the missed shot probability may also be adjusted basedon the head path and the face angle (e.g., based on the deviation of thehead path and the face angle) included in the measurement data. Also,similarly to the case of the flight distance, shot characteristic valuesother than the flight distance of a test club can be calculated based onthe measurement data of a test club, and shot characteristic valuesother than the flight distance of a non-test club can be estimated basedon the measurement data of the test club. Note that if the sensor datais included in the measurement data, the sensor data can also be usedwhen the shot characteristic values are to be calculated.

Next, the generation unit 14 c generates an avatar having acharacteristic corresponding to the shot characteristic of the golfer G(step S23). In the present embodiment, the shot characteristic valuescalculated in step S22 are set as-is as the shot characteristic valuesindicating the ability of the avatar Gv playing in the virtual space.Also, the generation unit 14 c sets the shot characteristic values andthe attribute information of the golfer G for the avatar Gv (step S24).The attribute information in this context includes, for example, thegender, name (including nickname), age, body type, and the like of thegolfer G. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, an imageshowing the golf course in three dimensions is generated on the golfscreen W2, and an image in which a character imitating the avatar Gvmoves in the golf course is generated. The attribute information sethere is used to generate the image of the avatar Gv.

In step S2, the character executing virtual golf is set. This characteris the avatar Gv of the golfer G, that is, an alter ego in a virtualspace, which embodies various characteristics of the golfer G.Accordingly, when virtual golf is executed as a game, the gameperformance improves. Also, due to the avatar Gv, which has the samecharacteristics as the golfer G, playing virtual golf, the golfer G canaccurately understand his or her own ability, can prepare for or reviewa round of a golf course, and can learn a method of play during a round,which is suited to the golfer G.

When the setting of the avatar Gv is complete, a golf game can bestarted. The operation receiving unit 14 d receives a command to startthe game from the golfer G, and when the golfer G performs apredetermined operation via the input unit 12, the game starts (stepS3).

When the game starts, first, the operation receiving unit 14 d receivesthe selection of the golf club to be used by the avatar Gv in the nextshot from the golfer G (step S4). Multiple golf clubs set in the golfapplication are presented as options on the golf screen, and the golferG can select a specific golf club by performing a predeterminedoperation on the input unit 12. The simulation unit 14 e sets the golfclub selected according to the operation as the golf club to be used inthe next shot.

After the golf club is set, the output unit 14 f displays the golfcourse and the avatar Gv as graphics. FIG. 7 is an example of this kindof screen W2, and the output unit 14 f generates the golf screen W2,which includes an image showing, in three dimensions, a scene of thevirtual space, that is, the hitting base for performing the next shot onthe golf course and scenery viewed in the ball flight direction from thehitting base, and the output unit 14 f displays the generated golfscreen W2 on the display unit 11. The attribute information set in stepS24 is reflected in the form of the avatar displayed here, and the shapeof the golf club selected in step S4 is reflected in the shape of thegolf club held by the avatar Gv displayed here.

When the above-described golf screen is displayed, the operationreceiving unit 14 d receives, from the golfer G, an instruction forcausing the avatar Gv to perform the next shot on the golf course (stepS5). Information prompting input of the direction and strength of theshot is presented on the golf screen, and due to the golfer G performinga predetermined operation on the input unit 12, the direction andstrength of the specific shot can be selected, and the avatar Gv can beinstructed to perform the next shot.

When the instruction to perform the next shot is input from the golferG, the simulation unit 14 e simulates the shot of the avatar Gv in thegolf course in accordance with the instruction (step S6). Specifically,the simulation unit 14 e simulates the trajectory of the ball 60 basedon the shot characteristic values of the avatar Gv with thecurrently-selected golf club, and based on the direction and strength ofthe shot input in step S5. The simulation unit 14 e also simulates thepoint at which the ball 60 lands on the golf course. The point at whichthe ball lands is calculated using, as a reference, a position(hereinafter referred to as “reference position”) separated from thecurrent position of the ball by the flight distance of the shotcharacteristic values, in a direction shifted from the direction of theshot in step S5 in accordance with the lateral deflection of the shotcharacteristic values. The simulation unit 14 e can determine the finalpoint at which the ball lands by, after calculating the referenceposition, shifting the reference position according to the variationdegree. Also, the simulation unit 14 e causes the avatar Gv to perform amissed shot at the missed shot probability of the avatar Gv with thecurrently-selected golf club. In this case, the final point at which theball lands is shifted in the missed shot direction from the referenceposition. Note that the flight distance at the time of a missed shot,the variation degree for the flight distance, and the missed shotprobability for the flight distance may be calculated as shotcharacteristic values, and when the final point at which the ball landsis to be calculated, the flight distance may be adjusted in addition tothe direction of the shot. Also, the simulation unit 14 e simulates notonly the behavior of the ball 60, but also the behavior of the golfer Gand the golf club during the shot, based on similar information. Themissed shot probability can also be set as appropriate by the golfer Ginstead of being calculated based on the measurement data.

The result of the above-described simulation is displayed as a graphicon the display unit 11 (step S7). In accordance with the result of thesimulation relating to the behavior of the avatar Gv, the golf club, andthe ball, the output unit 14 f generates an image showing a situation inwhich the character imitating the avatar Gv swings the golf club,causing the ball to fly. This image is displayed overlaid on an image ofthe scenery of the golf course, as shown in FIG. 7.

When the processing for one shot ends, steps S4 to S7 for the next shotare repeated until the round ends (step S8). Accordingly, multiple shotsperformed by the avatar Gv are simulated successively, and the golfer Gcan progress along with the avatar Gv while virtually playing a round inthe golf course.

When the round ends, the output unit 14 f generates a golf screenshowing results of the round, such as scores, and this golf screen isdisplayed on the display unit 11. The golfer G can find out his or herplay by viewing this golf screen. Then, the golfer G can have asimulated experience as if he or she is actually playing a round ofgolf, without actually going to a golf course, and can enjoy thesimulated experience as a game, and learn golf.

4. Modified Examples

Although an embodiment of the present invention was described above, thepresent invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, andvarious modifications are possible without departing from the gistthereof. For example, the following modifications are possible. Also,the elements of the following modified examples can be combined asappropriate.

4-1

In the above-described embodiment, measurement data collected at aspecific location, such as a golf school or a store selling golfequipment, is accumulated in the server 3 on the Internet, and thismeasurement information is downloaded from the server 3 to a terminal(virtual golf simulation apparatus 1) possessed by the golfer G and isused to set the avatar Gv. However, the measurement data may also beaccumulated in the storage unit 25 of the analysis apparatus 20 in whichthe measurement was performed, and may be directly transferred from thestorage unit 25 to the simulation apparatus 1 possessed by the golfer G,or virtual golf may be executed by the analysis apparatus 20.

4-2

The analysis of the shot characteristic of step S22 in theabove-described embodiment may also be executed by the analysisapparatus 20. In this case, the result of the analysis performed by theanalysis apparatus 20 is registered in the server 3 in advance, and ifthe analysis result is downloaded to the virtual golf simulationapparatus 1 during execution of virtual golf, the execution of step S22by the simulation apparatus 1 can be omitted. In the present example,the control unit 24 of the analysis apparatus 20 operates as an analysisunit for analyzing the shot characteristic of the golfer G.

4-3

In the above-described embodiment, all of the shot characteristic valuesof the avatar Gv were set to the same values as the actual shotcharacteristic values of the golfer G, but some or all of the shotcharacteristic values of the avatar Gv may be different from the actualshot characteristic values of the golfer G. That is, an avatar having ahigher or lower ability than the actual ability of the golfer G can alsobe generated according to selection performed by the user, orautomatically. Even in this kind of case, if the shot characteristic ofthe avatar Gv is set according to the shot characteristic of the golferG, it is possible to generate an avatar Gv in which the ability of thegolfer G is reflected. It is also possible to use a configuration inwhich the ability of the avatar Gv develops when the avatar Gvrepeatedly executes virtual golf, and in this case, the game performanceof virtual golf can also be improved. Instead of or in addition to this,it may also be possible to allow the golfer G executing virtual golf todevelop the ability of the avatar Gv by paying the distribution sourceof the golf application or the like via the communication network 8.

4-4

In the above-described embodiment, the avatar Gv was displayed in threedimensions as a graphic, but it can also be displayed in two dimensionsas a graphic. For example, in the plan view of the golf course shown inFIG. 6, an icon indicating the avatar Gv may be displayed at the currentposition of the avatar Gv.

4-5

The simulation unit 14 e may also control the shot of the avatar Gvaccording to a timing at which the golfer G operates an operationelement of the input unit 12. That is, parameters for determining eachshot of the avatar Gv in virtual golf, such as the direction andstrength of the shot, may also be determined according to the operationsensation obtained when the golfer G operates the input unit 12.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   -   1 Virtual golf simulation apparatus    -   2 Measurement device    -   3 Server    -   13 a Program (virtual golf simulation program)    -   14 a Data acquisition unit    -   14 b Analysis unit    -   14 c Generation unit    -   14 d Operation receiving unit    -   14 e Simulation unit    -   14 f Output unit    -   G Golfer    -   Gv Avatar (virtual golfer)

What is claimed is:
 1. A virtual golf simulation apparatus comprising aprocessor, wherein the processor is connected to an output device and isconfigured to: acquire measurement data obtained by using a measurementdevice to measure an actual shot performed by a golfer; analyze a shotcharacteristic of the golfer based on the measurement data; virtuallygenerate a virtual golfer having a shot characteristic corresponding tothe shot characteristic of the golfer; receive, from the golfer, aninstruction instructing the virtual golfer to perform an other shotbased on the shot characteristic in a virtual space; simulate the othershot of the virtual golfer in the virtual space in accordance with theinstruction; and output a result of the simulation to the output device.2. The virtual golf simulation apparatus according to claim 1, whereinthe processor is configured to receive selection of a golf courseserving as the virtual space, and successively simulate shots of thevirtual golfer such that the virtual golfer virtually progresses throughthe golf course.
 3. The virtual golf simulation apparatus according toclaim 2, wherein the processor is configured to successively simulatemultiple shots so as to cause the virtual golfer to play a virtual roundin the golf course.
 4. The virtual golf simulation apparatus accordingto claim 1, wherein the measurement data includes data relating to atleast one of a flight distance, a head velocity, a ball velocity, alaunch angle, a lateral deflection angle, a spin amount, a variationdegree, a face angle, and a head path angle.
 5. The virtual golfsimulation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the shotcharacteristic includes characteristics relating to at least one of theflight distance, lateral deflection, a miss direction, and a missed shotprobability.
 6. The virtual golf simulation apparatus according to claim1, wherein the processor is configured to: for each shot of the virtualgolfer, receive selection of a golf club to be used by the virtualgolfer, out of a group of a plurality of types of golf clubs selectedfrom a driver, a fairway wood, a utility, an iron, a wedge, and aputter.
 7. The virtual golf simulation apparatus according to claim 2,wherein the processor is configured to: for each shot of the virtualgolfer, receive selection of a golf club to be used by the virtualgolfer, out of a group of a plurality of types of golf clubs selectedfrom a driver, a fairway wood, a utility, an iron, a wedge, and aputter.
 8. The virtual golf simulation apparatus according to claim 3,wherein the processor is configured to: for each shot of the virtualgolfer, receive selection of a golf club to be used by the virtualgolfer, out of a group of a plurality of types of golf clubs selectedfrom a driver, a fairway wood, a utility, an iron, a wedge, and aputter.
 9. The virtual golf simulation apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the processor is configured to: generate an image showing thevirtual space in two dimensions or three dimensions.
 10. The virtualgolf simulation apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the processor isconfigured to: generate an image showing the virtual space in twodimensions or three dimensions.
 11. The virtual golf simulationapparatus according to claim 3, wherein the processor is configured to:generate an image showing the virtual space in two dimensions or threedimensions.
 12. The virtual golf simulation apparatus according to claim1, wherein the processor is configured to: generate an image in which acharacter imitating the virtual golfer moves in the virtual space. 13.The virtual golf simulation apparatus according to claim 2, wherein theprocessor is configured to: generate an image in which a characterimitating the virtual golfer moves in the virtual space.
 14. The virtualgolf simulation apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the processor isconfigured to: generate an image in which a character imitating thevirtual golfer moves in the virtual space.
 15. The virtual golfsimulation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processor isconfigured to: acquire the measurement data from the measurement deviceor a server that is connected to the measurement device and in which themeasurement data transmitted from the measurement device is accumulated.16. The virtual golf simulation apparatus according to claim 2, whereinthe processor is configured to: acquire the measurement data from themeasurement device or a server that is connected to the measurementdevice and in which the measurement data transmitted from themeasurement device is accumulated.
 17. The virtual golf simulationapparatus according to claim 3, wherein the processor is configured to:acquire the measurement data from the measurement device or a serverthat is connected to the measurement device and in which the measurementdata transmitted from the measurement device is accumulated.
 18. Anon-transitory computer readable medium storing a virtual golfsimulation program for causing a computer connected to an output deviceto execute: acquiring measurement data obtained by using a measurementdevice to measure an actual shot performed by a golfer; analyzing a shotcharacteristic of the golfer based on the measurement data; virtuallygenerating a virtual golfer having a shot characteristic correspondingto the shot characteristic of the golfer; receiving, from the golfer, aninstruction instructing the virtual golfer to perform an other shotbased on the shot characteristic in a virtual space; simulating theother shot of the virtual golfer in the virtual space in accordance withthe instruction; and outputting a result of the simulation to the outputdevice.
 19. A virtual golf simulation method, comprising: acquiringmeasurement data obtained by using a measurement device to measure anactual shot performed by a golfer; analyzing a shot characteristic ofthe golfer based on the measurement data; virtually generating a virtualgolfer having a shot characteristic corresponding to the shotcharacteristic of the golfer; receiving, from the golfer, an instructioninstructing the virtual golfer to perform an other shot based on theshot characteristic in a virtual space; simulating the other shot of thevirtual golfer in the virtual space in accordance with the instruction;and outputting a result of the simulation to an output device.